vexillum

American  

[vek-sil-uhm] / vɛkˈsɪl əm /

noun

plural

vexilla

1. a military standard or flag carried by ancient Roman troops.

2. a group of men serving under such a standard.

3. video frequency.

4. Botany. Also vexil the large upper petal of a papilionaceous flower.

5. Ornithology Rare. the web or vane of a feather.

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vexillum British  

/ vɛkˈsɪləm /

noun

1. ornithol the vane of a feather

2. botany another name for standard

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Other Word Forms

• vexillary adjective
• vexillate adjective

Etymology

Origin of vexillum

1720–30; < Latin: standard, flag, diminutive from the base of vēlum sail ( see veil)

Example Sentences

The founder and chief prophet of vexillology, Political Scientist Whitney Smith, coined the word from the Latin vexillum, or military standard.

From Time Magazine Archive

Well, but have we, on our part, no vexillum?

From Fort Amity by Quiller-Couch, Arthur Thomas, Sir

Elsewhere he says: "Nullus invenitur qui iuxta iussum Domini tonantis aetherii super montes Babiloniae, caligosasque turres crucis fidei attollat vexillum, sacrificium Deo offerens vespertinum."

From Christianity and Islam in Spain (756-1031) by Haines, Charles Reginald

The labarum, like the vexillum, had sometimes fringes with tassels or ribbons.

From Flags: Some Account of their History and Uses. by Macgeorge, Andrew

The difference in the size of the cells on the calyx under the vexillum right down to the common peduncle is conspicuous.

From More Letters of Charles Darwin — Volume 2 by Darwin, Francis, Sir